Reason for Selection

Identification of Hedgehog, a key molecule in development, and its medical applications

Our bodies develop from single fertilized eggs in an organized manner. The molecular mechanisms of development processes have fascinated scientists for decades. Dr. Philip A. Beachy and his colleagues identified the hedgehog gene and reported that it plays pivotal roles in many developmental processes in Drosophila and mammals. Hedgehog is a signaling molecule that is secreted and becomes distributed in developing tissues, inducing various cell fates. Importantly, they reported that Hedgehog must be modified by cholesterol for its proper functioning. This discovery opened a new era in developmental biology. Currently, they are investigating the roles of Hedgehog signaling in cancer cell proliferation and have found that cyclopamine, a plant-derived alkaloid, is a specific inhibitor of the Hedgehog pathway. Based on this finding, cyclopamine and its derivatives are being investigated as anticancer drugs against medulloblastoma and basal cell carcinoma, which are caused by excessive Hedgehog signaling.

Background

＜Education and Training＞

1975-1979

B.A., Goshen College, Goshen, IN, Natural Sciences

1979-1980

Non-Degree Student in Chemistry, Indiana University, South Bend, IN

1980-1981

Graduate Student, Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA

1981-1986

Ph.D., "Molecular biology of homeotic gene function in Drosophila" (with David Hogness), Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA.

＜Positions＞

-Carnegie Institution of Washington-

1986-1988

Staff Associate, Department of Embryology

-Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine-

1988-1993

Assistant Professor, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics

1993-1998

Associate Professor, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics

1998-2006

Professor, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics

2004-2006

Professor, Department of Oncology

Stanford University School of Medicine

2006-present

Professor, Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative medicine, and Department of Developmental Biology

2007-present

Ernest and Amelia Gallo Professor in the School of Medicine

2011-present

Professor, Department of Biochemistry

-HHMI-

1988-1996

Assistant Investigator, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

1996-2000

Associate Investigator, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicin

2000年2006

Investigator, Stanford University School of Medicine

2006-present

Associate Investigator, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicin

＜Major Honors and Awards＞

1997

Outstanding Young Scientist Award, Maryland Academy of Sciences

1998

National Academy of Sciences Award in Molecular Biology

2002

Member, National Academy of Sciences

2003

Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences

2008

March of Dimes Prize in Developmental Biology, shared with Cliff Tabin

Reason for Selection

Discovery of proteasome and elucidation of its physiological functions

Proteins are essential components of organisms, and their synthesis and degradation is controlled synergistically by mRNA within cells. The proteasome, a large protein complex responsible for the selective degradation of intracellular proteins, was first discovered by Dr. Keiji Tanaka. Since then, Dr. Tanaka has focused on elucidating the structure and molecular/physiological functions of the proteasome for the past 30 years. The discoveries of immunoproteasomes, which are important for distinguishing self and non-self , and of thymoproteasomes, which are important for the differentiation of T cells in the thymus, are some highlights of his work. His current research interests include intracellular proteolysis mediated by the proteasome, ubiquitin, as well as the autophagy system in eukaryotes in general. His great achievements have revealed that these intracellular proteolytic systems are involved in the development of many diseases.

Background

＜Education and Training＞

1972

Graduated from School of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokushima

1976

Dropout from Doctoral Program in Medical Sciences, The University of Tokushima

1980

Ph.D.

＜Positions＞

1976

Assistant Professor, Institute for Enzyme Research, The University of Tokushima

1980

Ph.D.

1981

Postdoctoral fellow , Harvard Medical School, USA (2 years)

1995

Associate Professor, Institute for Enzyme Research, The University of Tokushima

1996

Head of Department of Molecular Oncology, The Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science

2002

Vice-Director, The Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science

2006

Acting-Director, The Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science

2011- present

Director General, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science

Visiting professor
(Present)

The University of Tokyo, Niigata University, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Ochanomizu University, University of Tsukuba

＜Major Honors and Awards＞

2003

The Naito Foundation Merit Award for Advancement of Science

2004

Uehara Award

2004

The Asahi Prize

2008

The Takeda Medical Prize

2010

Japan Academy Prize